Hiking Expedition in the Icelandic Wilderness
Tackle an epic backcountry trek in a remote corner of Iceland, hiking along secret trails far removed from the crowds
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesHotel & Wild camping
1 night in a Reykjavik hotel, 4 nights wild campingMeals
All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinnersTransfers & Permits
Transfers from Reykjavik to the expedition trailhead and back, with permits and entry fees providedEquipment
Crampons and safety ropes, expedition tents and cooking gearSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Trek through canyons, past waterfalls and across lava fields on this unique mini-expedition in Vatnajökull National Park
Traverse the ice of the vast Skeiðarárjökull glacier surrounded by true wilderness and Iceland's highest mountains
Make camp in the most wild, majestic spots imaginable, beneath the summer twilight of Iceland’s midnight sun
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Reykjavik
Head to Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik. After checking into your guesthouse, set off and explore this quirky city’s huge array of quaint bars, cafes, art museums and churches.
Day 2
The trek begins
Driving
Hiking
Start early today as you hop in the van with your guide to skip town, leaving Reykjavik at 7:30 am for the four-hour drive through southern Iceland towards the enormous wilderness area of Vatnajökull National Park. You'll hit the trails as soon as you are dropped off at the trailhead, tackling a short climb until you reach the magnificent waterfalls of Tvílitihylur. Head further up, along the sculpted canyons of the lower part of the Núpsá River, before reaching the deeper section with walls up to 200m high. Your first wild camping spot is within the canyon, making for a unique and memorable night out in the Icelandic wilds.
Day 3
Reaching the glacier
Hiking
Wake up in the belly of the canyon and enjoy breakfast at camp before packing down and getting back on the trail. Make your way up and out of the canyon, the highland panorama revealing itself as you reach the lava fields of Sléttur. Embark on a steady ascent along the Eggjar Hills, with the mighty Vatnajökull icecap and enormous glacier tongue of Skeiðarárjökull gradually coming into view. Hike closer to the glacier and pitch up right beside it for a camp dinner, before bedding down.
Day 4
Glacier crossing
Hiking
Today you simply have one mission: to cross the Skeiðarárjökull glacier. You'll need a whole day to traverse the vast expanse of ice through the Norðurdalur Valley, an area surrounded by high mountain ridges. Your guides will ensure the crossing is done safely, whilst teaching you about Iceland's relationship with glaciers and their importance on a warming planet. Reaching solid ground again, you'll step off the glacier in the Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park – a magnificent camping area is the reward for a tough day. Enjoy the late light of Icelandic summer deep into the evening at camp, with views over glacial lakes with floating icebergs flanked by colourful rhyolite mountains.
Day 5
Hike on past Iceland's highest peak
Hiking
Set off away from the glacier this morning, climbing to a narrow mountain ridge with a panorama of rhyolite peaks of the Kjós valley on one side, and the imposing wall of Hvannadalshnúkur on the other – Iceland's tallest mountain. Descend into the Morsárdalur Valley where the vegetation becomes thick, green and lush. Pass through the beautiful Arctic birch forest of Bæjarstaðarskógur, before finding one last wild camping spot on the plains beside the forest.
Day 6
The final stretch and back to Reykjavik
Hiking
Driving
Wake up in the wilderness for one last time, grab a coffee and breakfast and bid farewell to the stunning backdrop. Hike further along the Morsárdalur Valley and past the epic waterfall of Svartifoss while making your way across the Skaftafell National Park, eventually reaching the road – your first sign of civilisation in nearly a week. Hop on the bus back to Reykjavik, where you'll bid farewell to your guide and fellow adventurers. You are free to head straight to Keflavik Airport on the Flybus in time for any evening flights, or head to your accommodation in Reykjavik if you're staying on longer in the land of fire and ice.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Reykjavik accommodation
Arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Reykjavik City Centre
17:00 on Day 6
Transfers
Your adventure starts at your hotel in downtown Reykjavik. When you arrive at Keflavik Airport you'll need to hop on one of the frequent Flybus services operated in connection with all arriving flights at Keflavik Airport. You can buy a ticket in advance on the Flybus website or at the Flybus desk in the Keflavik terminal – tickets cost £20/€24/$27 each way. The bus is very easy to find, right outside the arrival terminal – just look for signs for Flybus. Your host will provide details on where you need to get off the bus and how to find your hotel in the pre-departure information you are sent prior to travelling to Iceland.
On Day 6 you will arrive back into central Reykjavik at approximately 17:30. You can hop straight onto a Flybus back to Keflavik Airport in time for any flights departing from 20:00 onwards, or you can head to your accommodation if you are staying on longer in Iceland.
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Iceland from airports across the UK, Europe and North America.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
During the trek, the emphasis will be on lightweight meals prepared by the trip leader with some help from the group. For dinner expect soups, pasta with smoked salmon, couscous, sausages and freeze-dried meals. Breakfasts will consist of muesli, porridge and crispbread with hot chocolate, tea and coffee. For packed lunches, you'll make sandwiches from various ingredients, including Icelandic flatbread, pâté, salami, cheese, peanut butter and smoked salmon. Snack items include biscuits, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, fruits and energy bars. Vegans and vegetarians can be accommodated on this trek – please let your host know in advance.
What is the accommodation like?
Reykjavik
Before the trek you'll stay one night in Reykjavik at Hotel Orkin, a 3-star hotel which is just a short walk from the bars and cafes in the heart of the city. You'll stay in twin-share rooms as standard, with private bathrooms.
Wild camping on the trek
During the trek, you’ll stay in twin-share expedition tents at a variety of wild camping spots, selected by your guide. Vatnajökull National Park is wild place, so you'll be camping on a variety of terrain wherever flat ground can be found. Sometimes you'll be sleeping on gravel scree, volcanic lava or moss. Bringing along a good quality sleeping mat is essential on this trip. You'll almost certainly have the camp spots to yourself in this remote and lesser-visited part of Iceland. Facilities on the trek are limited – the group will travel with cooking facilities for meals and hot drinks, plus a larger tent which will act as a mess tent or group shelter if the weather is bad. There will be no toilet tent or shower tent.
Upgrades
For solo travellers wanting their own space, there is the option to upgrade to a private room if you would like to do so, subject to availability. See Optional Extras for prices. Please note, this only covers your night in Reykjavik – due to the remote and demanding nature of this expedition, your host does not offer solo tents as the weight of the food, camping and cooking gear needs to be distributed equally amongst the group.
If you'd like to extend your stay in Iceland your host can also help to arrange extra nights' accommodation in Reykjavik before or after the tour (subject to availability). Prices are available on request from your host.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
You'll need to have good fitness levels for this trek. You'll be hiking for 5-7 hours each day for four consecutive days. The route isn’t overly technical and doesn’t reach high altitudes, so beginner hikers will be fine – providing you have good fitness levels and a pair of broken-in hiking boots! You'll encounter a variety of terrain – from rocky sections, mossy plateaus, lava fields and, of course, there is a huge glacier to cross. For the majority of this expedition there is no path or marked trail to follow, so the number of km per day and the elevation gain listed in the itinerary is subject to change, depending on the conditions. You'll need good, worn-in and waterproof hiking boots with strong ankle support. You may also benefit from gaiters for extra water resistance on the glacier. You will need to cross rivers at various points – sometimes hopping over stones to the other side and other times removing your boots and socks, putting on river crossing shoes and wading to the other side through the water. At some points, some mild scrambling is required. Trekking poles might come in handy for the uneven terrain on the lava fields.
What will I need to carry?
This is a wild camping expedition through the Icelandic wilderness and you will need to carry all of your gear plus your share of the food and camping supplies. The group will be self-sufficient along with your guide from the moment you are dropped off at the trailhead on the morning of Day 2. You will need a 60-75 litre trekking backpack with a hip belt to ensure you are comfortable hiking all day while carrying your own gear. The food and camping supplies will also be divided equally amongst the group; please leave 15-20 litres of free space in your backpack for this.
As the old Icelandic saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”. Icelandic weather is famously fickle so you’ll need to prepare for anything – from balmy all-day sunshine in the mid-twenties (°C), to wind, rain and everything in between! This is all part of the adventure, but be sure to pack good waterproofs in case the rain gods come calling. Remember that in Iceland, summer means nearly 24 hours of daylight, so don’t forget your eye mask! The average daytime temperature in this part of Iceland from June to September is 10-12°C (50-55°F). A warm summer day could see temperatures reaching around 20°C/68°F.
Trip of a lifetime
Wow! What a trip! If you are looking for a challenging trip off the beaten path then this is the trip for you. Landscape and our Guide made this trip even better. Would recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
Sensational
Jon was an incredible. His knowledge of the landscape and ability to adapt went above and beyond. We were very lucky with group dynamics and with heavenly weather the sites were…. heavenly. Day three was particularly challenging but non the less rewarding. This really was the most amazing experience. Don’t hesitate. Book this trip. It’s a life changing experience.
Best Hike I've ever done
This hike was amazing and equally difficult and beautiful. We lucked out with weather and Jon made this hike absolutely amazing. He was knowledgable about the area and taught us a ton.
Itinerary Activities
- Guided hike in Vatnajökull National Park
- Guided hike towards the Skeiðarárjökull glacier
- Guided traverse of the vast ice of the Skeiðarárjökull glacier
- Guided hike into the Morsárdalur Valley
- Guided hike through the Skaftafell National Park, via Svartifoss
Guides
- Expert, local, English-speaking guides
Accommodation
- 1 night in a central Reykjavik hotel
- 4 nights wild camping in spectacular locations
Meals
- 5 tasty breakfasts
- 5 packed lunches
- 4 expedition-style dinners
Transfers
- All transfers during the trip, from your accommodation in Reykjavik to the end point in Reykjavik city centre
Permits
- All permits and entry fees
Equipment
- Crampons and safety ropes
- Expedition tents and cooking gear
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Airport transfers
This trip begins and ends in central Reykjavik, so you'll need to make your own way to and from the airport – see the 'Getting There' section for more information.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost; these are entirely at your discretion. If you would like to tip, the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What is included?
- Crampons for the glacier crossing
- Safety ropes for the glacier crossing
- Twin-share expedition tents
What do I need to bring?
Bags
- Trekking backpack, 60-75 litres (you'll need to leave 15-20 litres of space for group food)
- Waterproof liner for backpack
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag – down or fibre; lightweight with a 3 or 4-season rating. We recommend goose down with a high fill power or a high-end synthetic bag
- Insulating, inflatable sleeping mattress, such as Thermarest
- Sleeping bag liner (optional)
- Inflatable pillow, or just bring a pillowcase (you can stuff your down jacket inside to make a pillow)
- Eyemask (there's a lot of daylight in Iceland during summertime)
Clothes
- Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, worn in, B1 or B2 crampon compatible
- Long-sleeved thermal tops/breathable wicking layers (wool or synthetic)
- T-shirts
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Lightweight hiking trousers/shorts (quick-drying, e.g. softshell)
- Waterproof jacket with hood (windproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex or similar)
- Waterproof trousers (windproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex or similar)
- Gaiters (optional, but recommended)
- Lightweight down/synthetic fill jacket
- Lightweight gloves (wool or synthetic)
- Underwear
- Hiking socks (3-4 pairs, wool or synthetic)
- Buff or neckscarf
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Sandals/beach shoes/old trainers for crossing rivers, and a pair of neoprene socks
- Clothes and shoes/sandals for evenings at camp
Other
- Walking poles (optional but recommended, with rubber tips to protect the environment)
- Lunchbox
- 2 litres of water-carrying capacity (bottles and/or bladders)
- Water purification tablets/treatment system
- Headtorch (for August departures)
- Universal travel adapter
- Power bank or solar charger (small solar cells tend not to work too well in Iceland, so a power bank is recommended)
- Spare camera batteries
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Earplugs
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
Double/Twin Room in Reykjavik: 2024 Prices starting from...
Payable Before Departure
Double/Twin Room in Reykjavik: 2024 Prices starting from...
… Per Night
Double/Twin Room in Reykjavik: 2025 Prices starting from...
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Double/Twin Room in Reykjavik: 2025 Prices starting from...
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Single Room in Reykjavik: 2024 Prices starting from...
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Single Room in Reykjavik: 2024 Prices starting from...
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Single Room in Reykjavik: 2025 Prices starting from...
Payable Before Departure
Single Room in Reykjavik: 2025 Prices starting from...
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade (1 night Reykjavik only - 2024)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade (1 night Reykjavik only - 2024)
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Optional Private Room Upgrade (1 night Reykjavik only - 2025)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade (1 night Reykjavik only - 2025)
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We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 86kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Yes. This is a wild camping expedition through the Icelandic wilderness. The group will be self-sufficient along with your guide from the moment you are dropped off at the trailhead on the morning of Day 2. You will need a trekking backpack with waist support to ensure you are comfortable hiking all day while carrying your own gear. The food and camping supplies will also be divided equally amongst the group; please leave 15-20 litres of free space in your backpack for this. A 60-75 litre backpack is generally fine on this trek.
As the Icelandic Tourist Board explains in this video, it's confined to the Reykjanes Peninsula and not affecting travel at all. Iceland is open for business and perfectly safe.
If the hotel in Reykjavik does not have enough space to store your luggage then it is possible to store it in the luggage lockers at BSI Central Station (the departure point for the bus to Landmannalaugar). Your host will meet you at your hotel at approximately 06:30 on Day 2 of the tour and you'll be in the van to the trailhead by 07:30, so there is a short window in which to store excess luggage in the lockers at BSI Central Station – it is much more convenient to do this the evening of Day 1 if possible, rather than the morning of Day 2. There are four other centrally located places in Reykjavik where you can store luggage. Speak to your host about the options, or you can pre-book here.
You'll be filling your water bottle up from streams and rivers that flow from the highest mountains in Iceland and the glaciers in the valley that you're trekking through. The water is safe to drink and your guide will assist with advice on filling up from wild water sources. We recommend bringing two litres worth of carrying capacity, either with a couple of reusable bottles or a bladder system.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Wednesday 25th June 2025
to Monday 30th June 2025
